Adjustable length garment

ABSTRACT

An adjustable length garment, such as a dress, skirt, blouse, or the like, having an elongated length of fabric adapted to be positioned adjacent the body portion of the wearer. A securing arrangement is formed on the surface of the garment which extends transversely around the garment for adjusting the garment length. The securing arrangement comprises a loop-shaped member having a holding apparatus therein which is used to position the garment on the wearer for an adjustable length. Each loop-shaped formation when positioned adjacent the waist of the wearer when garment is worn forms an individual hemline. The garment is of reduced length when in position, with the excess material of the garment folded or bloused.

United States Patent 1 1 Cain 1 1 ADJUSTABLE LENGTH GARMENT [76] Inventor: Dona G. Cain, 723 N. Gramercy PL,

Los Angeles, Calif. 90038 [22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 391,730

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 293,599. Sept. 29,

1972, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 2/74; 2/211 [51] Int. Cl A4ld 1/22 [58] Field of Search 2/74, 70, 211, 269, 74, 2/71, 72, 212, 213,217

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,327,881 8/1943 Friedman 2/74 2,602,163 7/1952 Davenport .....'2/269 X 2,669,726 2/1954 Meisel 2/269 X 2,914,773 12/1959 Walter 2/269 3,008,147 Yelton 2/74 [4 1 May 20, 1975 3,230,545 1/1966 Galley 2/74 Primary Examiner-H. Hampton Hunter Attorney, Agent, or Firm Harvey S. Hertz [57] ABSTRACT An adjustable length garment, such as a dress, skirt, blouse, or the like, having an elongated length of fabric adapted to be positioned adjacent the body portion of the wearer. A securing arrangement is formed on the surface of the garment which extends transversely around the garment for adjusting the garment length. The securing arrangement comprises a loop-shaped member having a holding apparatus therein which is used to position the garment on the wearer for an adjustable length. Each loop-shaped formation when positioned adjacent the waist of the wearer when garment is worn forms an individual hemline. The garment is of reduced length when in position, with the excess material of the garment folded or bloused.

11 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE LENGTH GARMENT DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The present invention is a continuation in part of US. Pat. application Ser. No. 293,599, filed Sept. 29, 1972 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of art The field of art to which the invention pertains includes the field of adjustable length garments, particularly, with respect to a garment which can be stylishly worn at at least two individual lengths, such as both a relatively short skirt or a relatively long skirt by a simple adjustment mechanism.

In the aforementioned US. Patent Application an adjustable garment is described which is convertible to a dress or to a skirt of various lengths. The garment is made from a piece of material having a gentle taper formed in a tubular configuration. At intervals along the length of the garment there are formed continuous loop formations which can receive elastic whose ends attach together. One end part of the tubular formation can be folded down at the position of any one of the continuous loops, and inside the remaining part of the garment is a lining. The elastic may then be placed in the top loop formation and in the loop at the waist line. With this construction the garment can be worn as a dress with elastic within the top continuous loop and in the loop at the wiast line. The side edges of the garment can be clipped or fastened together for a portion of the length of the materials.

The aforementioned patent application utilizes a fastener, prong or hook and eye type of arrangement to close the dress along a portion of the seam. Typically, such closure arrangements have proven to be aesthetically unsatisfactory and undesirable. In addition, the adjustment mechanism was such that it was primarily useful only with skirts or sleeveless dresses worn around the torso.

In order to overcome the attendent disadvantages of prior art adjustable length garments, the present invention provides a garment which can be readily adjusted to various lengths and remains aesthetically pleasing at the folded over junction adjacent the waist. The garment can be easily made at a minimum of cost and can be utilized in a wardrobe to replace a plurality of garments each of which are of differing lengths. The adjustment mechanism can be used with dresses which cover the shoulders and sleeves as well as skirts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An adjustable length garment formed of an elongated length of fabric adapted to be positioned adjacent the body portion of the wearer. A securing arrangement is provided on the surface of the interior or exterior of the garment and extends transversely therearound for adjusting the length of the garment. A loop-shaped member having a belt member therein is used to position the garment on the wearer at the adjustable length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a garment made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa portion of an alternative arrangement of the garment;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a tubing loopmember used in the garments of FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of alternative tubing loop used in the garments of FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of still another alternative tubing loop used in the garments of FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 7 is a view of a tying arrangement used in the tubing loops of FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 8 is a view of an alternative arrangement of a tying loop of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a belt utilized in the garments of FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 10 is a view of a technique for inserting the belt in the garments of FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 11 is an alternative arrangement for inserting the belt of FIG. 9 into the garments of FIGS. 1 through FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the garment of FIG. I illustrating its adjustable hemline;

FIG. 13 is the garment of FIG. 2 illustrating its adjustable hemline; and

FIG. 14 is the garment of FIG. 3 illustrating its adjustable hemline.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 a garment constructed in accordance with principles of the invention. The garment comprises a conventional evening gown I2 which extends from above the waist 14 of the wearer to approximately directly above the floor and shoes of the wearer to define a bottom hemline 16. The garment can extend to the waist or any part above the waist, including the shoulders and could have a neck and sleeves. Formed on the exterior or interior of the garment is a tubing 18 shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 and which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter which is used to reduce the hemline 16 of the wearer to a different length.

In FIG. 2 there is shown an alternative construction of the invention wherein a dress 24 contains a tubing 26 (shown by dotted lines) formed a few inches below the waistline 28 of the wearer. In the construction of FIG. 2 the hemline 32 is illustrated slightly above the knees of the wearer. However, this illustration can be constructed in any length garment as well.

FIG. 3 illustrates a full length skirt 42 having a belting 44 formed at the waist of the wearer. The skirt 42 is illustrated as a full length garment which extends to the floor at hemline 46. In addition, a tubing 48 is formed approximately in the middle of the skirt as shown in FIG. 3 in dotted lines. This construction can be used with any length skirts and is especially feasible to carry several tubings where a multiple of lengths are to be provided with a single garment.

FIG. 4 illustrates one technique for forming the tubing in the interior surface of the garments of FIGS. l3.'

edge of the web 58. The'resultant construction forms a loop defined by an opening 66 between the interior surface 56 of the material 52 and the surface of the web 58 adjacent thereto. It should be understood of course, that a similar type construction could be used with the web 58 on the exterior surface of the garment and a decorative-type structure could be formed on the web 58.

In FIG. there is shown an alternative construction for forming the tubing loop in the garments of FIGS. 1-3. Instead of a web of the type illustrated in FIG. 4, two sections of fabric are joined together. In FIG. 5 the bottom edge 72 of a first layer of material 74 is sewn to the second layer of material 76 at a distance spaced from the top edge 78 of the second layer. A resulting hemline 82 is formed between the bottom edge 72 of the material 74 and the material 76. Additionally, the top edge 78 of the second layer of material 76 is sewn to the material 74 along a hemline 84 spaced above the hemline 82. The resultant effect is a loop 86 which can be used as the tubing loop in the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, or 3.

In FIG. 6 there is illustrated an alternative arrange ment for forming the tubing loops 18 of FIG. 1, 26 of FIG. 2 or 48 of FIG. 3 without utilizing an additional webbing of material as in FIG. 4 or interconnecting two different materials as in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, the material 92 is looped over on itself at a first edge 94 and a second edge 96. This double looping is secured to the fab ric by means ofa hemline 98 adjacent the second edge 96. The second edge 96 is therefore secured to the main portion of the material 92. Between the hemline 98 and the first edge 94 a tubing loop 102 is formed. This tunnel loop can be utilized in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 for the loops therein.

In the arrangement of FIGS. 4-6 the garment can be secured at the waist by means of a tie string or belt which can be postioned in the tubing loops formed therein as will be explained hereinafter. Alternatively, an interior formed drawstring 112 illustrated in FIG. 7 provides an alternative arrangement for securing the garment at the waist. In FIG. 7 the material 114 contains a tubing loop 116 therein. The loop 116 is formed by the material 114 and a web 117 of material on the interior surface to the dress. The loop 116 is constructed as in FIG. 4 although the arrangements of FIG. 5 or 6 could be utilized as well. In addition, a vertical seam 122 is sewn on the dress and extends above and below the loop 116 at the web material 117. Where the seam 122 is left open a snap arrangement 124 and 126 is utilized to secure the seam together. In this manner access to the interior of the garment can be obtained so as to tie the drawstring 112 together as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The drawstring 112 is pulled through the loop 116 at openings 132 and 134. Then the drawstring is knotted as at ends 136 and 138, respectively. Therefore, the wearer need not fear that the drawstring would fall back into the openings 132 and 134. After the drawstrings 112 have been secured together the opening 118 in the garment can be hidden by means of the snap fasteners 124 and 126. Also, when the garment is at full length the snap fasteners keep the opening 118 closed, to provide a continuous seam.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative arrangement wherein a drawstring 150 is visibly accessible on the exterior surface of a material 152 and is positioned between the material 152 and trim 154 positioned on the exterior of the garment. The drawstring 150 extends between the loop formed between the material 152 and 154 and is drawn through an opening 156 in the material and tied into a loop at its end.

FIG. 9 illustrates a belt 202 having a main section 204 typically formed of elastic material and having a heavy gauge leather or plastic material 206 and 208 respectively, positioned at opposite ends of the material 204. The material 206 and 208 is utilized as a threading guide for inserting the belt through the tubing loops of the garments of FIGS. 1, 2, or 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 the belt 202 is inserted into an interior loop 212 formed in a material 214. Access to the loop 212 is normally made at a vertical seam 216 in the material.

When the belt 202 is utilized with access on the exterior surface of the material 222 as shown in FIG. 11, the material 22 normally has a loop 224 formed therein. A pair of vertical slots 226 and 228 provide exterior access to the loop 224. Normally the belt of FIG. 9 is fed into one of the slots 226 and taken out to the other slot 228 and the belt then secured to each other at its ends as is conventional and as by snaps or otherwise.

FIG. 12 illustrates the garment of FIG. 1 which has been reduced in length, so that its hemline 16 which was previously adjacnet to the feet of the wearer is now above the knees of the wearer or at any other suitable adjustable length. The dress 12 has been moved up by the wearer so that a U-shaped fold of material 302 whose bottom edge 304 is hidden above the hemline 16. Additionally, the tubing loop 18 previously below the knees of the wearer is now at the waist thereof and the dress is secured around the waist by means of a ribbon or belting of the type illustrated in FIGS. 7-11. Typically, the garment of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be reduced up to one-third of its original length as illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 illustrates the garment of FIG. 2 which has now been shortened an additional amount so that the hemline 32 is above the knees a greater amount than that illustrated in FIG. 2. The tubing loop 26 of FIG. 2 is raised so that it is now approximately at the waist and the excess of material formed thereby is bloused as at 306 covering above the tubing loop and a drawstring or belt as previously described positioned in the tubing which secures the dress so that it contains a hemline as illustrated in FIG. 13. Typically, the garment of FIG. 2 can be reduced several inches as illustrated in FIG. 13, and can be used in any length garment as well.

FIG. 14 illustrates the garment of FIG. 3 reduced from a full length skirt to an above the knee skirt. In FIG. 3 the tubing loop 48 is now present at the waist of the wearer and the portion of the material previously at the waist is now folded over so that it is directly above the hemline 46. This material directly above the waist is of course covered by the outer surface of the skirt. Then a belt 314 or similar arrangement as depicted in FIGS. 7-11 can be secured to the waist at the dress within the tubing loop 48. Typically, the garment of FIG. 3 can be reduced to about one-half its original length as shown in FIG. 14. This arrangement can be used in any length skirt.

It should be understood that the garment uses a holding device such as a belt or drawstring that is placed and held at the waist thereby effecting different and various lengths but enabling a relatively even hemline to be provided. While it is normally intended that the tunnel loops 18. 26 and 48 of the garments of FIGS. 1-3 respectively, normally are raised so that they are at the waist. they could be placed at other lengths in the garment. However. it has been found that by placing such tunnel loops at the waist that a more desirabletype garment is formed which correctly holds the garment hemline in an even position.

The construction of the invention can be utilized in dresses of any length and skirts of any length, which would include blouses that extend at a few inches below the waist, jumpers of any desired length. and the like.

It has been found that typically, a soft pliable fabric is most desirable with manmade fabrics being extremely successful in providing the adjustable length and enabling the garment to be relatively wrinkle free. The garment typically has a gentle taper enabling it to provide the desired type format at various different lengths.

I claim:

1. An adjustable length garment comprising:

an elongated length of fabric material adapted to be positioned adjacent a body portion of the wearer; and

securing means formed on the surface of said garment and transversely therearound for adjusting the length of said garment comprising tubing having an adjustable length holding member therein whose ends extend from an opening in said tubing for positioning said garment tubing on the wearer at different hem line heights said garment extending from an upper torso portion of the wearer downwardly to a hem line. said tubing being positioned in said garment intermediate said upper torso portion of the garment and said hem line said garment being formed with the top of the garment positioned at said tubing when said garment is folded, the lower edge of the inner portion of the garment adjacent the wearer being slightly higher than the hem line of the outer portion of the garment when the garment has been raised on the wearer at the hemline for enabling the garment to be worn at different hem line lengths.

2. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tubing is formed on the interior surface of said garment.

3. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tubing is formed on exterior surface of said garment.

4. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tubing is formed at the junction of two separate pieces of material.

5. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tubing is formed by folding over a single section of fabric.

6. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding member remains stationary and hidden on the inside of garment when the garment hem line is raised.

7. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding member remains stationary and visible on the outside of garment when said garment hem line is changed.

8. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding member is an elasticised belt that is positioned in a loop-shaped member formed by said tubing when the garment hem line is raised, said belt being secured together at its ends when said garment hem line is raised.

9. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 8 wherein said holding member is a belt that is positioned and held in the loop-shaped member when the garment hem line is lowered and secured at its ends when garment hem line is raised.

10. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein excess length material is folded under and positioned intermediate the outer surface of the garment and the wearer's body when the garmet is reduced in length.

11. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said excess blousy material is formed adjacent said tubing and covers said garment outer surface. 

1. An adjustable length garment comprising: an elongated length of fabric material adapted to be positioned adjacent a body portion of the wearer; and securing means formed on the surface of said garment and transversely therearound for adjusting the length of said garment comprising tubing having an adjustable length holding member therein whose ends extend from An opening in said tubing for positioning said garment tubing on the wearer at different hem line heights said garment extending from an upper torso portion of the wearer downwardly to a hem line, said tubing being positioned in said garment intermediate said upper torso portion of the garment and said hem line said garment being formed with the top of the garment positioned at said tubing when said garment is folded, the lower edge of the inner portion of the garment adjacent the wearer being slightly higher than the hem line of the outer portion of the garment when the garment has been raised on the wearer at the hemline for enabling the garment to be worn at different hem line lengths.
 2. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tubing is formed on the interior surface of said garment.
 3. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tubing is formed on exterior surface of said garment.
 4. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tubing is formed at the junction of two separate pieces of material.
 5. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tubing is formed by folding over a single section of fabric.
 6. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding member remains stationary and hidden on the inside of garment when the garment hem line is raised.
 7. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding member remains stationary and visible on the outside of garment when said garment hem line is changed.
 8. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding member is an elasticised belt that is positioned in a loop-shaped member formed by said tubing when the garment hem line is raised, said belt being secured together at its ends when said garment hem line is raised.
 9. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 8 wherein said holding member is a belt that is positioned and held in the loop-shaped member when the garment hem line is lowered and secured at its ends when garment hem line is raised.
 10. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein excess length material is folded under and positioned intermediate the outer surface of the garment and the wearer''s body when the garmet is reduced in length.
 11. An adjustable length garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said excess blousy material is formed adjacent said tubing and covers said garment outer surface. 